Silky-Pin

The Silky-Pin is a mix of the Miniature Pinscher and the Silky Terrier breeds. They are toy breed dogs and will not get much bigger than 15 pounds and about a foot tall. They are very healthy and can live up to 14 years old or more. As a small dog, they are full of energy and feistiness with no sense of how small they are. In fact, they can be fierce when it comes to protecting their family. In fact, this makes them very good guard dogs and their lovable nature also makes them great family pets when socialized and trained properly.

Purpose

Companion, Guard Dog

Date of Origin

2000s

Ancestry

Miniature Pinscher and Silky Terrier

Silky-Pin Health

Average Size

Height: 10-13 inchesWeight: 10-15 lbs

Height: 8-11 inchesWeight: 8-13 lbs

Major Concerns

Tracheal Collapse

Spongiform Leukodystrophy

Mitral Valve Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

Patellar Luxation

Legg-Calve Perthes Disease

Congenital Eye Defects

Occasional Diagnoses

Urolithiasis

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Diabetes

Occasional Tests

Eye Examination

Blood And Urine Analysis

Diagnostic Imaging

Cardiac Test

DNA

Silky-Pin Breed History

The history of the Silky-Pin is still unknown since they are a new designer breed. However, it is possible to derive a history for them from looking at the backgrounds of the parent breeds, the Miniature Pinscher and Silky Terrier. The Miniature Pinscher began in Germany in the 1600s when breeders were trying to perfect a ratting dog that could chase the vermin from their hiding spots. They were bred from German Pinschers, Dachshunds, and Italian Greyhounds, and are not in any way related to the Doberman Pinscher even though they look alike and share the same name. Some believe the Miniature Pinscher originated over 2000 years ago but there are no records of their existence from back then. In the 1900s, the breed was shown at the German Stuttgart Dog Show and about 20 years later they were becoming popular in the United States. The Miniature Pinscher Club of America was formed in 1929 and they were accepted by the American Kennel Club that same year. They are now the 68th most well-liked breed in America. Originating in Australia, the Silky Terrier derived from the Yorkshire Terrier and Australian Terrier in the 19th century to create the perfect companion pet. With their silky coat, they are considered to be hypoallergenic and are great for people with allergies. They are definitely good family pets but can be snappy if irritated so should be carefully supervised with small children. The Silky Terrier was brought to America by soldiers returning from World War II and became popular. The Silky Terrier Club of America was started in 1955 and the breed was recognized by the AKC four years later. Today, the Silky Terrier is the 100th most common breed in the United States.

Silky-Pin Breed Appearance

The Silky-Pin is a small hybrid breed with a thin coat of medium to long straight and silky hair that can be a variety of different colors. Some of the colors they come in are brindle, silver, gray, sable, blue, fawn, Isabella, tan, red, chocolate, black although the most common color is black, chocolate, and white. They have pointed, upright ears, a long muzzle on a small head, brown eyes, black lips, a scissors bite, and a black or brown nose. Their legs are long and strong and their tail is short to medium and can be hairless or feathered.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Brown

Coat Color Possibilities

Brindle

Sable

Silver

Blue

Fawn

Isabella

Cream

Red

Brown

Gray

Black

Coat Length

ShortMediumLong

Coat Density

SparseNormalDense

Coat Texture

StraightWiryWavyCurlyCorded

Silky-Pin Breed Maintenance

The coat of the Silky-Pin is thin and can become tangled easily so it must be brushed daily. Use a comb and a hard bristle brush to thoroughly comb through your dog’s coat all the way down to the skin to keep the hair from getting matted. Their coat needs to be washed with conditioning shampoo and detangling conditioner to keep the hair from getting frizzy or dry with split ends. Since the coat is like human hair, it needs to be cut on a regular basis. Once a month, you should trim your dog’s toenails with a nail clipper to keep them from cracking or splitting. The teeth are an important part of the routine as well; brush them daily if you can in order to avoid the buildup of plaque and tartar.

Brushes for Silky-Pin

Pin Brush

Comb

Scissors

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

DailyWeeklyMonthly

Silky-Pin Temperament

Your Silky-Pin has a courageous and slightly bossy personality that makes him expect to be the king of the castle. While this is good in some cases, you do need to let him know that you are the leader of the pack so he knows he has to listen to you. Once that is clear, your Silky-Pin should be obedient to you and the rest of the family. They tend to be standoffish with strangers and have to be introduced to visitors to prevent excessive barking and aggression. However, as long as your dog is trained and socialized properly, there should be no problems.

Silky-Pin Activity Requirements

The Silky-Pin needs plenty of activity every day to keep them from becoming bored or anxious. As a matter of fact, they should have approximately an hour to 90 minutes of exercise every day. Many dogs that do not get enough exercise can end up with aggravating habits like barking excessively or chewing on things. Your Silky-Pin typically enjoys vigorous activities like chasing local wildlife such as rabbits and squirrels, playing with other dogs at the dog park, going for walks, hiking in the woods, swimming, playing fetch with you or another family member, and they are even good at agility course training. Ideally, this hybrid needs a home with a securely fenced yard.